Dispensers for fluent masses



Nov. 30, 1965 w, sP 3,220,615

DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Filed Oct. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Z5 20, F200 50 WQUEQ R 5 072 INVENTOR. 16

Nov. 30, 1965 w. B. sPATZ DISPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 4, 1965 B0 51 14 T Z INVENTOR.

BY @941, 4 flrromvsy.

United States Patent 3,220,615 DESPENSERS FOR FLUENT MASSES Walter B, Spatz, 11182 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 49, Calif. Filed Oct. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 313,940 17 Claims. (Cl. 222-252) The present invention relates to dispensing devices, and more particularly to dispensing types of containers from which fluent substances can be discharged.

In applicants United States Patent No. 3,088,636, dispensing container apparatus is disclosed adapted to hold fluent substances which are discharged from the container by decreasing its effective volume forwardly of a follower device, after which the volume is increased to create a partial vacuum in the container that causes atmospheric pressure to move the follower device within the container in a forward direction, decreasing the effective volume of the container by the amount of the substance previously discharged therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide dispensers of the type indicated embodying containers for fluent substances, in which a vane type of one-way follower device is employed for automatically decreasing the effective volume of the dispenser to compensate for the fluent mass previously discharged from the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type indicated, in which excessive pressures cannot be imposed on the fluent mass in the container during actuation of the dispenser to discharge a portion of the mass therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser having a discharge device within its container provided with an outlet that is automtically exposed by internal fluid pressure in the container and which is automatically withdrawn into the container to close the same upon decrease of the internal fluid pressure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for a fluent mass adapted to be discharged from the dispenser through its outlet by subjecting the fluent mass to pressure, return flow of the mass through the outlet, after relieving of the pressure, being prevented by enabling the fluent mass itself to close the outlet, operating in the manner of a check valve.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric projection of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the device disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;

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FIG. 5 is a horizontal section through another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section of part of the device shown in FIG. 6, disclosing the fluent mass being dispensed from the apparatus.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, the dispenser includes a container 10 of generally cylindrical shape, which includes a bottom 11, cylindrical wall 12 and a top or cover 13 closing the upper portion thereof and piloted within the cylindrical wall, the cover being suitably secured to the latter. A fluent mass M is adapted to be disposed within the container, which, for example, may be tooth paste, face cream, hand cream, hair shampoo, and the like, the mass being dischargeable through a tubular outlet 14 extending through the cylindrical wall of the container near its upper end.

Located at one side of the discharge outlet or orifice 14 is a movable partition or vane 15 having a hub POI:- tion 16 pivotally mounted on a supporting shaft or post 17 secured to and extending between a bottom 11 and top 13 of the container coaxially of its cylindrical wall 12a. The outer end 18 of the partition 15 is adapted to slidably fit against the inner surface 12:: of the cylindrical wall, its upper and lower ends being slidably and sealingly engageable with the opposed surfaces of the cover 13 and bottom 11 of the container. The dispensing vane or partition 15, in effect, is a separating wall in the container, with the viscous or fluent material M on one side thereof and only air at atmospheric pressure on the other side thereof, which can enter the chamber through a suitable atmospheric opening or port 19 extending through the side wall 12 and preferably immediately to the rear of the partition 15.

The partition 15 normally occupies a position adjacent to but spaced from the discharge tube 14, being urged to such position by one or a plurality of helical return springs 20 engaging the partition and also engaging suitable spring seats or abutments 21 fixed to and extending inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the container. The springs urge the partition or vane against a suitable stop in the form of a shaft 22 parallel to the axis of the container and rotatably mounted in its top or cover 13 and bottom or base 11. This shaft has a forward actuating cam or projection 23 extending therefrom and also a rear cam 24 extending therefrom, both of which are adapted to engage the rear side of the dispensing vane 15. The vane 15 is movable in a dispensing direction against the force of the springs 20 by shifting an actuating lever 25 fixed to the shaft 22 externally of the cover 13, the limit of movement of the actuating lever in one direction being determined by its engagement with a stop element 26 fixed to and projecting upwardly from the cover. When the actuating lever 25 is shifted toward the stop 26, the forward cam 23 shifts the dispensing vane 15 toward the discharge orifice 14 and effects a discharge of the fluent substance M in the container through the discharge tube.

Located within the container is a follower device 28 capable of automatically moving in the container to reduce its effective volume by the amount of the fluent mass discharged through the tube 14. The follower device is in the form of a follow-up vane or piston 29 having an inner hub portion 30 rotatably mounted on the supporting shaft or post 17, the outer edge 31 of the following device being adapted to slidably engage the inner wall 12a of the cylinder 12, and its upper and lower ends being adapted to slidably engage the inner surfaces of the cover 13 and bottom 11 of the container. The hub portion 30 of the follower vane 29 may be disposed axially between the upper and lower hubs 16 of the dispenser vane 15,the adjacent portions 16, 30 of the two vanes making slidable fits against one another to prevent or minimize leakage therebetween.

The follow-up vane or piston 29 can move about the axis of the support shaft 17 in a forward direction toward the discharge tube 14, as indicated by the arrow 32a in FIG. 2, but is prevented from moving in a reverse direction by a one-way gripper or latch. As disclosed in the drawings, such one-way latch includes a leaf spring 32 suitably secured to the rear of the follower vane 29, as by means of rivets 33, and having an outwardly flaring portion or finger 34 engaging the inner wall 12a of the cylindrical portion of the container. When the follower vane moves in the direction of the arrow 32a, as shown in FIG. 2, the one-way latch or gripper 32 automatically releases from the cylinder wall, but any tendency for the follower vane to move in a rearward or counterclockwise direction will cause the latch to engage and grip the cylinder wall to prevent such movement.

As disclosed in the drawings, a substantial portion of the fluent mass or viscous material M initially in the container has already been dispensed. At first, when the container is substantially full, the follow-up vane 29 will be disposed adjacent to the actuating cams 23, 24 and the shaft 22, the atmospheric opening or port 19 being disposed between the discharge and follower vanes 15, 29. When the dispensing of some of the fluent mass M is desired, the actuating lever 25 is shifted toward the stop, which will cause the forward actuating cam 23 to move the dispensing vane or partition against the force of the return springs 20, creating a pressure in the fluent mass. The one-way latch or gripper 32 engages the wall 12a of the cylinder and prevents the follower vane 29 from shifting in a rearward direction. As a result, the dispensing vane 15 imposes pressure above atmospheric on the fluent mass M and causes a certain portion of it to discharge through the outlet or orifice 14.

Upon release of the force on the actuating lever 25, the return springs 20 shift the dispensing vane 15 back to its initial position, acting through the actuating cam 23 to move the actuating lever 25 back to its initial position disclosed in FIG. 1. The return movement of the dispensing vane 15 to its initial position creates a partial vacuum in the chamber portion containing the fluent mass, the air under atmospheric pressure in the chamber portion 35 between vanes 15, 29 acting upon the follow-up vane 29 and shifting it in a forward direction within the container a distance substantially corresponding to the volume of the mass that had just been dispensed, the follow-up vane 29 reestablishing the pressure on the viscous material M at atmospheric.

The partial vacuum is, created inside the container portion holding the mass M as a result of return movement of the discharge vane 15, since the discharge tube 14 preferably has a comparatively small passage or orifice diameter, in the nature of a capillary tube, the relatively viscous material M disposed therewithin being reluctant to flow back through the discharge opening, thereby functioning in the manner of a check valve to prevent return flow of fluid M or of atmospheric air into the chamber. The closing by the fluent mass M of the orifice 14 allows return movement of the dispensing vane 15 to its initial position to increase the volume of the chamber between the vanes 15,29 containing the mass and results in the creation of the partial vacuum therewithin.

As additional material is dispensed from the container by generating pressure in the viscous material M through actuation of the lever 25 and of the dispensing vane or partition 15, and following return of the dispensing vane to its initial position, the follow-up vane 29 is caused by the partial vacuum created in the container forwardly thereof and the atmospheric pressure rearwardly thereof to progressively move in the container to compensate for the volume of material dispensed. Thus, periodic actuation of the dispensing vane 15 will cause the follower vane 29 to move in the direction of the arrow 32a, as disclosed in FIG. 2, until the follower vane is located at the one-way discharge tube 14, at which time, substantially all of the fluent mass M in the container will have been dispensed.

The one-way latch device 32 prevents substantially all return movement of the follower vane 29 upon imposition of pressure on the fluent mass M in the container by actuation of the dispensing vane or partition 15. Thus, the volume in the container corresponding to the amount of pivotal movement of the dispensing vane toward the outlet 14 will be the volume of material M discharged through the container outlet. Upon return movement of the dispensing vane 15 to its initial position, the follower vane 29 will move automatically in a forward direction within the container by an amount substantially corresponding to the movement of the dispensing vane in a dispensing direction.

In the form of apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, inclusive, excessive pressures cannot be developed in the container 10a. Its outlet or orifice 14a is normally closed and is automatically shifted to an open position as a result of imposing pressure on the fluent mass M in the container. As disclosed, the container 10a is of the generally cylindrical form of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, its cylindrical wall 12b being integral with and extending upwardly from the bottom or base 11 of the container, being closed by a top or cover 13a in essentially the same manner as in the other form of apparatus. A stationary vane or partition 15a is formed integral with the cylindrical wall 12b, extending inwardly therefrom toward an elongate hub 30a of the follower piston or vane, which is pivotally mounted upon a supporting shaft or post 17a coaxial of the cylindrical wall 12:: of the container and extending upwardly from its bottom 11 to its top or cover 13a, into which it may be piloted. The inner portion 50 of the stationary vane 15a preferably makes a slidable sealing fit with the periphery of the hub 30a, the stationary vane extending upwardly from the bottom or base 11, with its upper end making a sealing fit with the inner surface of the cover 13a.

The follower piston or vane 29a is essentially the same as the vane of the other form of invention, its outer end 31 making a slidable sealing fit with the inner wall 12a of the cylindrical container and its upper and lower ends making slidable sealing fits with the bottom 11 and cover 13a. The follower piston 29a also has a one-way latch in the form of a leaf spring 32 attached to it and extending rearwardly thereof, the outer portion 34 of the leaf spring or finger being curved outwardly away from the piston vane 29 and adapted to grip the inner wall of the cylinder to prevent reverse movement of the follower vane, but permitting its forward movement against the fluent mass M disposed in the container between the follower vane and the stationary vane or partition 15a. As in the other form of the invention, a suitable hole or atmospheric opening 19 extends through the Wall of the partition immediately to one side of the stationary vane 15a, in order to allow air at atmospheric pressure to act upon the follower vane and urge it toward the fluent mass when a partial vacuum develops in that portion of the dispenser containing the fluent mass M.

Pressure can be imparted to the fluent mass M within the container by depressing a plunger 51 slidable through an aperture or opening 52 in the cover 13a and along the partition 15a so as to reduce the effective volume in the container between the stationary and follower vanes 15a, 29a. As shown, the plunger 51 is of generally rectangular cross-section, being slidable through a correspondingly shaped aperture 52 in the cover, the plunger being guided in its movement inwardly and outwardly of the container by a suitable L-shaped elongate guide 53 secured to and depending from the cover 13a into the chamber. A substantially rectangular, shiftable or movable discharge tube 54 is also slidable in the container along the stationary vane or partition 15a and between and along the outer surface 55 of the plunger and the inner wall 12a of the container. The upper portion of this tube 54 is slidable through an aperture or opening 52 in the cover, that can be a continuation of the opening through which the plunger 51 extends, so as to expose the outlet or orifice 14a in the upper portion of the hollow tube 54 above the cover 13a. The tube 54 is shiftable inwardly within the container to place its outer end closure 56 substantially flush with the outer surface of the cover 1311, with the outlet or orifice 14a in a closed position, as determined by engagement of the inner terminus 57 of the hollow tube with a shoulder 58 in the container.

The plunger 51 initially occupies an upper position in the container in which its outer portion projects above the cover, being yieldably held in such position by a return spring or clip 60 disposed within the container adjacent to the stationary vane 15a. The clip includes an otfset portion 61 extending within a saddle 62 integral with and extending upwardly from the bottom 11 of the container, an arm 63 projecting from such offset portion and terminating in a finger 64 bearing against a lug 65 secured to the lower, open portion of the discharge tube 54, so as to urge the latter downwardly to closed position against the shoulder 58. The offset portion of the leaf spring merges into an intermediate web 66, which, in turn, merges into an arm 67 terminating in a finger 68 engaging the lower, inner end of the plunger 51, urging the plunger upwardly within the container to its initial position, determined by engagement of a stop shoulder 69 on the plunger with the inner surface of the cover 13a at one side of the rectangular aperture or opening 52. Normally, the spring 66 maintains the plunger 51 in its upper position and the discharge tube 54 in its lower position with its outlet or orifice 14a closed, as disclosed in FIG. 6.

As shown in the drawings, a substantial portion of the initial fluent mass M in the container a has been dispensed. Initially, the follow-up piston or vane 29a is disposed adjacent to the stationary vane or partition a the vanes being on opposite sides of the atmospheric opening 19. When a quantity of the fluent mass is to be dispensed, the plunger 51 is depressed against its spring 60, as by finger pressure, to impose pressure on the fluent mass M. The follow-up piston or vane 29a is prevented from moving in a rearward direction within the container by its one-way latch device 32. The pressure acts upwardly against the end closure 56 and other end areas of the discharge tube 54, elevating the discharge tube within the container against the force of the spring 60 to expose its outlet or orifice 14:; above the cover, such as shown in FIG. 7, the fluent mass M in the container and in the tube 54 discharging through the outlet.

Upon release of the finger or other pressure on the plunger 51, the spring 60 elevates it to its initial position and shifts the discharge tube 54 inwardly to its initial position in which the outlet 14a is closed. Elevation of the plunger creates a partial vacuum within the container and causes the follower vane 29a to move automatically in a forward direction an amount corresponding to the volume of the fluent mass dispensed, under the influence of the atmospheric pressure acting on the rear side of the vane 29a, until the fluent mass is again at atmospheric pressure. Each time the plunger is depressed, the discharge tube 54 is automatically elevated and its outlet 14a opened to allow a portion of the fluent mass to be dispensed therethrough. Release of the plunger 51 causes the discharge tube 54 to be shifted inwardly to close its outlet 14a and prevent atmospheric pressure from acting on the fluent mass M, the elevation of the plunger 51 again creating a partial vacuum in the container and causing the follower piston 29a to move in a forward direction. The latter vane will continue to move step-by-step in a forward direction about the axis of the shaft 17a to the extent limited by its engagement with the guide 53, at which time very little of the fluent mass remains in the container.

As in the other form of the invention, the latch device 32 precludes substantially all reverse movement of the follower vane or piston 29a so that the quantity of material dispensed corresponds to the extent of depression of the pressure generating plunger 51 in the container. Part of the decrease in volume of the container, resulting from depression of the plunger, is oflset by elevation of the movable discharge tube 54 in the container, but the volume increase due to movement of the tube is relatively small compared to the decrease in volume of the container resulting from depression of the plunger 51. The ability of the discharge tube 54 to rise in the chamber, which can be to a substantial extent, prevents excessive pressures from being generated in the fluent mass M as a result of rapid depression of the plunger 51, since the discharge tube will merely be projected outwardly of the cover to a greater extent and correspondingly increase the volume in the chamber, which, of course, is accompanied by a lesser pressure of the mass M in the container. The preventing of excessive pressure build-ups in the fluent mass M prevents damage to any of the parts, as, for example, to the leaf spring, thereby insuring its availability for preventing one-way rearward movement or travel of the follower vane within the container.

Depression of the plunger 51 results in discharge of a portion of the fluent mass from the container, the dis charge tube 54 remaining in its open position until the force on the plunger is released, causing the return spring 60 to shift it to its initial positon, and thereby decreasing the pressure in the container holding the discharge tube in its open position. If the button 51 is not released, the fluent mass continues to be dispensed through the outlet or orifice 14:: until the pressure developed in the container reduces to the point at which it is overcome by the spring, which then shifts the discharge tube 54 back to its closed position.

I claim:

1. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a vane pivotally mounted in said container and rotatable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vale in said container in a rearward direction away from the mass while permitting movement of the vane in the container in a forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of said vane to apply pressure to the entire mass in the container so as to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the vane, whereby said oneway latch means releases and said vane moves forwardly of said container against the fluent mass.

2. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a vane pivotally mounted in said container and rotatable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in said container in a rearward direction away from the mass while permitting movement of the vane in the container in a forward direction; said container having an opening rearwardly of said vane allowing air at atmospheric pressure to enter said container and act on said vane; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of said vane to apply pressure to the entire mass in the container so as to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the vane, whereby said one-way latch means releases and said vane is moved by air at atmospheric pressure forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

3. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from the container; said container having a curved inner wall generated about its axis; a partition in said container adjacent said axis extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted in said container for movement about said axis in a forward direction against the mass in the container, said vane being slidable along said inner wall; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; means for applying pressure to the entire mass in the container between said partition and vane to dispense a portion of the mass through the dis charge outletgand means for then relieving said pressure and creating a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

4. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from the con- I tainer; said container having a curved inner wall generated about its axis; a partition in said container adjacent said axis extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted in said container for movement about said axis in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; means for moving said partition in said container in one direction to apply pressure to the mass in such container between said partition and vane to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for moving said partition in said container in the opposite direction to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said .vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

5. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from the container; said container having a curved inner wall generated about its axis; a partition in said container adjacent said axis extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted in said container for movement about said axis in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; pressure generating means movable inwardly of said container between said partition and vane to apply pressure to the mass in the container and to dispense a portion thereof through the discharge outlet; and means for moving said pressure generating means outwardly of said container to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

6. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a supporting member therein at its axis, said container having a curved inner wall generated about said axis; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a partition in said container adjacentsaid supporting means and extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted on said supporting member and extending to said wall and movable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; means for applying pressure to the entire mass in the container between said partition and vane to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for then relieving said pressure and creating a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

7. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a supporting member therein at its axis, said container having a curved inner wall generated about said axis; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a partition in said container pivotally mounted on said supporting member and extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted on said supporting member and extending to said wall and movable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction: means for moving said partition toward said outlet to apply pressure to the mass in said container between said partition and vane to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for moving said partition away from said outlet to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch means releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

8. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass having a supporting member therein at its axis, said container having a curved inner wall generated about said axis; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a partition in said container adjacent said supporting member and extending to said wall on one side of said outlet; a vane pivotally mounted on said supporting member and extending to said wall and movable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one- Way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; plunger means movable inwardly of said container between said partition and vane to apply pressure to the mass in the container and dispense a portion thereof through the discharge outlet; and means for moving said plunger means outwardly of said container to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

9. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing substantially all movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction away from the outlet while permitting movement of the piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to apply pressure to the entire mass in the container so as to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means, whereby said oneway latoh means releases and said piston means moves forwardly in said container toward said outlet; said discharge outlet being of capillary cross-section to prevent return flow of the fluent mass therethrough.

10. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; means providing a discharge outlet from said container; a vane pivotally mounted in said container and rotatable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in said container in a rearward direction away from the mass while permitting movement of the vane in the container in a forward direction; said container having an opening rearwardly of said vane allowing air at atmospheric pressure to enter said container and act on said vane; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of said vane to dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the vane, whereby said one-way latch means releases and said vane is moved by air at atmospheric pressure forwardly in said container against the fluent mass; said discharge outlet being of capillary cross-section to prevent return flow of the fluent mass therethrough.

11. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; and means for applying pressure to the fluent mass in said container in advance of said piston means to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet.

12. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; means for applying pressure to the fluent mass in said container in advance of said piston means to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet; and means for shifting said discharge member from said outer position to said inner position upon sufficient decrease in the pressure applied to the fluent mass.

13. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; spring means engaging and yieldably holding said discharge member in said inner position; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; and means for applying pressure to the fluent mass in said container in advance of said piston means to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet; said spring means reshifting said discharge member from said outer position to said inner position upon sufficient decrease in the pressure applied to the fluent mass.

14. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; piston means in said container movable in a forward direction toward the outlet and against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said piston means in said container in a rearward direction away from the outlet while permitting movement of the piston means in the container in the forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means to apply pressure to the fluent mass in the container to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet; and means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the piston means, whereby said one-way latch means releases and said piston means moves forwardly in said container toward said outlet.

15. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; a vane pivotally mounted in said container and rotatable in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in said container in a rearward direction away from the mass while permitting movement of the vane in the container in a forward direction; means for reducing the volume of the container forwardly of said vane to apply pressure to the mass in the container to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the mass through the discharge outlet; and means for then increasing the volume of the container forwardly of the vane, whereby said one-way latch means releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass.

16. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; said container having a curved inner wall generated about its axis; a partition in said container adjacent said axis extending to said wall; a vane pivotally mounted in said container for movement about said axis in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; plunger means movable inwardly of said container between said partition and vane to apply pressure to the mass in the container to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet; and means for moving said plunger means outwardly of said container to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass and said discharge member shifts from said outer position to said inner position.

17. In a dispenser for a fluent mass: a container for the mass; a fluid actuated discharge member having an outlet and movably mounted in said container between an inner position in which said outlet is in closed position in said container and an outer position in which said outlet is in open position externally of said container; said container having a curved inner wall generated about its axis; a partition in said container adjacent said axis extending to said wall; a vane pivotally mounted in said container for movement about said axis in a forward direction against the mass in the container; one-way latch means for preventing movement of said vane in a rearward direction away from said mass while permitting movement of said vane in the container in a forward direction; plunger means movable inwardly of said container between said partition and vane to apply pressure to the mass in the container to cause the mass under pressure to shift said discharge member from said inner position to said outer position and dispense a portion of the fluent mass through said open outlet; and spring means engaging said plunger means and discharge member for moving said plunger means outwardly of saidcontainer to create a partial vacuum in said container between said partition and vane, whereby said one-way latch releases and said vane moves forwardly in said container against the fluent mass, said spring means also reshifting said discharge member from said outer position to said inner position upon s-ufiicient decrease in the pressure applied to the fluent mass.

12 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1933 Austria. 3/1931 Germany.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. IN A DISPENSER FOR A FLUENT MASS: A CONTAINER FOR THE MASS; MEANS PROVIDING A DISCHARGE OUTLET FROM SAID CONTAINER; A VANE-PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID CONTAINER AND ROTATABLE IN A FORWARD DIRECTION AGAINST THE MASS IN THE CONTAINER; ONE-WAY LATCH MEANS FOR PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF SAID VALE IN SAID CONTAINER IN A REARWARD DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE MASS WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE VANE IN THE CONTAINER IN A FORWARD DIRECTION; MEANS FOR REDUCING THE VOLUME OF THE CONTAINER FORWARDLY OF SAID VANE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ENTIRE MASS IN THE CONTAINER SO AS TO DISPENSE A PORTION OF THE MASS THROUGH THE DISCHARGE OUTLET; AND MEANS FOR THEN INCREASING THE VOLUME OF THE CONTAINER FORWARDLY OF THE VANE, WHEREBY SAID ONEWAY LATCH MEANS RELEASES AND SAID VANE MOVES FORWARDLY OF SAID CONTAINER AGAINST THE FLUENT MASS. 